Why does the act of crying feel so therapeutic?

Question

Was recently really stressed out and then broke down and cried for two minutes. Immediately felt better. Nothing about the actual situation changed. Why did the act of crying cause such an immediate mood change?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Crying has been found to release stress-relieving hormones — endorphins and oxytocin, IIRC. Endorphins are the same “feel good” chemicals the brain releases for all sorts of things as a sort of reward for itself. Do something that helps, and you get to feel good.